Help Desk

How to Make Your Interview Count

Arrive early but not more than 15 minutes before your appointment.
Do Not Be Late. If an unavoidable circumstance occurs, call the employer to advise them
of the delay.
Follow the company’s dress code. If you are uncertain, wear a suit. Don’t overdress,
avoid strong perfumes/aftershaves and excessive jewelry.
Never quit your day job even if you want to devote more time to focus on your job search.
The hiring process experiences delays all the time. An employed candidate is a more attractive candidate. An unemployed applicant has no bargaining power or salary leverage.
Check the hiring company’s website. Do your homework and background research.
Learn as many facts as you can about a company before you meet with them.
Check their annual report.
Keep your cell phone off.
Don’t over-inflate your current salary. You may price yourself out of a good opportunity.
Ask questions. It’s a two-way street. Show interest. Ask the interviewer how long they are in their current position, what they think of the company, how is company morale, why is the job open, etc.
Ask for the job. If you are impressed with the company and want the job, let them know.

GOOD LUCK!

Use an extensive summary of qualifications. This can be a red flag that signals to employers that you are attempting to cover up an erratic work history.
Combine achievements with negatives – stating you were responsible for bringing in $5 million in revenue per year and being laid off due to cutbacks looks suspicious.
Misspell words. Always proof, run spell check and proof again. Even one typo makes your resume look unprofessional and shows no attention to detail.
Title your file “Resume”! When saving your resume, the name of the file should always be simply “Your Name” and saved as a .doc file (John Freight.doc). Remember, if every applicant titles his or her file “Resume,” how will your file stand out? Also, save the file as a .doc file. Many companies are slower to update their software and may not always be able to open your resume file. If the file doesn’t open with one click, it will be trashed and your chances of an interview go with it.